Research Document 2020/043

Canadian Environmental Protection Act Indirect Human Health Assessment Report on Danio rerio YZ2018

By Ali, K. and Dugan, S.

Abstract

An indirect human health risk assessment was conducted on Danio rerio YZ2018 that was notified under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA). This risk assessment examined the potential for YZ2018 to cause harmful effects to humans in Canada relative to wild-type D. rerio as a consequence of environmental exposure, including exposure in natural environments and environments under its intended use (i.e., home aquaria). YZ2018 is a genetically modified line of diploid, hemizygous or homozygous, Zebrafish, containing a fluorescent yellow protein. D. rerio YZ2018, which appear yellow/orange under ambient light, including sunlight, will be imported from the United States for use as an ornamental fish in home aquaria. The notified line has been commercially marketed as an aquarium fish throughout the United States except California since 2012, and in California since 2015 without any reported incidents. The parental strain, D. rerio, has been available as a home aquarium fish since the early 1900s. There is no evidence to suggest a risk of adverse human health effects at the exposure levels predicted for the general Canadian population from use as an ornamental aquarium fish as well as other identified potential uses. As such, there is no expectation that YZ2018 poses any more risk to human health than wild-type D. rerio.

Research Document 2020/043 (PDF, 613 KB)

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